Anyone who knows me is aware that I don't play favorites with any of my four daughters. Similarly, I don't play favorites with any of the many nurses that I deal with at the clinic (whoa, ouch - pivot whiplash). But I will confess that there is one particular nurse that I have developed a special bond with.
For the purposes of this blog, we will call him "John" (because that is his actual name; HIPAA rules only apply to me, the patient, not the providers). "John" (I mean, John), and I share a birthdate (he is significantly younger). This is more than something he points out every time we spend a treatment day together (it's not like he or I forget this connection), rather this is part of the verification protocol that accompanies each "transaction" which transpires between us. All pills, potions, procedures and paperwork must be confirmed as being mine - as matched against my visit-issued ID band; bearing my full Noym-given name and my date of birth (DOB). Which brings us back to John and October 5th.
This is not really about John and our shared DOB, it's about the observation that sometimes he is taking care of individual patients like me, and other times, he is in charge of the roughly 8 - 10 total nurses on shift for that day. I inquired about it on my most recent visit (hey, if you don't ask you'll never learn) and he explained it thusly: All of the nurses that work at this particular oncology infusion clinic are trained and credentialed to be able to serve any/all patient needs - up to and including being responsible for any questions or challenges that could come up with any of the other nurses. Their skill strengths vary based on years of service, or solid tumor vs liquid cancer treatment frequency (MM is considered a "liquid/blood" cancer). Plus being an inherently collaborative team environment at a teaching hospital, fosters the safety and certainty of group decision-making, while often nurturing new, young interns learning the ropes (from the TRUE experts - the Nurses).
You may have heard the expression, "I don't need a brain surgeon to remove a splinter" but everyone sorta wants that level of capabilities for their splinter. So on any given visit, I am comforted knowing that I always have the A Team behind my treatment: Be it the nurse themself or the gang of gurus gathered to give guidance at any juncture.
